Senior communities meet demands of increasing male population

Residents at Senior Star at Weber Place in Romeoville can participate in clubs and group activities that are especially appealing to the increasing male population.

It's fodder for parody on sitcoms and capitalized on by the advertising world because the truth is there are activities that men find more interesting than woman — no matter what the age.

Men like to hang out with other men. They like to drink beer, watch sports, use power tools or solve the world's problems.

Sure, some women enjoy these activities, too, but there is something to be said for hanging out with others who just get you.

From high school to family barbecues men gravitate toward one another. And the same is holding true for men of retirement age.

Leon (Lee) Fidrych, 90, is the president of the Squires Men's Club and the leader of the Men's Think Tank at Sedgebrook independent living community in Lincolnshire and says there is sometimes controversy over having men's only groups.

"Some people feel women should be included in our groups, but the majority feel that men will be more inclined to be freer in their discussion without the women there," says Fidrych. "People have different points of view based on different experiences. At least in our generation, men were out more in the workplace, in industry, and so our discussions reflect that perspective that is different than women's might be."

Once highly populated by females, retirement communities are beginning to see more and more male residents and are responding to their requests.

A growing trend

While a 2010 American Senior Housing Association Independent Living Report shows more women choosing Continued Care Retirement Communities, the gap closes with age showing 42 percent of residents are male and 58 percent female in the 88+ age group.

Anja Rogers, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Senior Star Living, says company-wide they average about 75 percent female residents and 25 percent male residents, but are seeing pockets of change.

"This percentage of male residents is definitely an increase during the last several years. Additionally, several of our individual communities such as Senior Star at Weber Place (in Romeoville) are seeing more rapid growth in their male populations than other Senior Star communities," she says.

Stephanie Thomas, assisted living program director at Senior Star at Weber Place, says there has been an increase in men moving into the community.

"Whether the reasoning behind it is that the age expectancy of men has increased or men might just be simply retiring at an earlier age. There has also been an increase of single or widowed men making the decision to move to Senior Star at Weber Place," she says.

The gap seems to be closing at other communities as well. At Sedgebrook there are 201 male residents and 350 female residents.

What's the difference?

As much as men and women enjoy each other's company and women have gained more equality, study after study reminds us there are inherent differences between genders.

Ryan Springer, community resources coordinator for Sedgebrook, says the development of the Squires Men's Club and the Men's Think Tank are interesting because they like to involve everyone in programming whenever possible.

"We don't like to exclude people, but first and foremost, we want residents to be happy," he says. "So if a resident wants to start a club, we work with them to facilitate that. We make it happen. We don't often introduce programs that are gender-specific."

But the groups clearly appeal to the men with 160 of male residents participating in Squires and 25 turning out regularly for the Think Tank.

"It gives men the opportunity to get together with people who are similarly minded," Springer says. "Additionally, it seems to give men an outlet that they want and that they need."

At Senior Star at Weber Place they are embracing the differences.

"Men's lives were centered on work and family, and leisure time, if able. Most male residents at Weber Place spent a large portion of their lives as the primary breadwinner," explains Thomas. "A huge percentage of our male population served in the military. The majority of Weber's men do not care to do what most women are interested in. Tea parties, baking, sewing, and even bingo do not interest some of the men that would like to spend their time participating in more masculine activities."

Beer, baseball and bags

While retirement communities strive to offer programs and opportunities that suit all residents they are always working to meet the needs of residents.

"Catering to the interests of all residents is vitally important to a person's ability to enjoy life throughout their lifetime," says Rogers.

Thomas says as more men move in at Weber Place the offerings are evolving based on their interests.

So what are some of the more masculine activities?

At Senior Star at Weber Place they have developed a monthly Men's Club eating pizza prepared by the chef and enjoying an ice-cold beer while watching a western or sports movie. Every month men who served in the military are honored at a veteran's luncheon. Also popular with men at Weber Place is the Tee Stop golf room where they offer golf therapy, ping pong, and a bean bag toss. Another hit is bowling on the Wii in the Wii Lounge. In addition to planning a poker night and current events chat, outings are planned with male residents in mind to locations like area firehouses, baseball games and men's lunches.

There has been a rise in attendance since adding these activities, Thomas says.

Sedgebrook's Squire Men's Club is a mix of social and philanthropic work. They bring in speakers and conduct 50-50 raffles with proceeds going to subsidize lectures, programs and to benefit others such as Shriner's Hospital for Children and GlenKirk home. The Men's Think Tank takes on larger issues with members all doing research and presenting their findings on topics such as the Affordable Care Act, Social Security and immigration.

There are 90 clubs and committees at Sedgebrook. While not exclusive to gender, golf, beanbag toss, the veteran's group and sporting events such as baseball games tend to draw more men. The on-site woodshop also seems to be predominantly used by male residents, says Springer.

The changes are encouraging the guys to get out more and socialize.

"I have seen a profound increase of men participating in activities now, due to the addition of male geared activities," Thomas says. "It is important that every resident is engaged and embracing life."